A key part of SCRI’s work is sharing the results of its scientific research with as wide an audience as possible. This is done through a range of outreach activities, events and visits involving a wide variety of audiences including policy makers, food manufacturers and marketers, the farming industry, land users, school children, university students, members of the public, fellow scientists and others from around the world.

Some of the key events for the industry are Cereal Solutions (renamed Cereals in Practice for 2009), Fruit for the Future and Potatoes in Practice, which enable representatives to view at first hand the importance and relevance of research undertaken at SCRI which leads, for example, to new crop varieties and new ways of managing crops and land to enhance the environment.

Outreach activities have included attendance at the Royal Highland Show, the Edinburgh Science Festival, Gardening Scotland and the Dundee Flower and Food Festival. Staff from the communications team and the science programmes attend to help explain the work of SCRI to visitors through interactive displays, for example testing levels of vitamin C in different fruits.

SCRI works closely with local schools and SCRI’s Open Days allow school pupils to learn about SCRI’s work and visit our site. SCRI also hosts Advanced Higher Biology Days, in conjunction with the British Science Association, which allow secondary pupils preparing for their Advanced Higher Biology exams the opportunity to visit a number of laboratories and discuss highly relevant research with staff at SCRI.

Members of the public are also able to find out more about SCRI and visit the Invergowrie site at special events, such as Open Farm Sunday and Sustainable Agriculture – From Laboratory to Field, both held in conjunction with LEAF – Linking Environment and Farming.

Collaboration and partnerships with other major research providers is another key component of knowledge transfer and sharing. SCRI works in conjunction with partners on various programmes of work to help promote the transfer of knowledge and technology.

SCRI is a research institute with a truly internationally reputation and communicating the results of its research to the international scientific audience through publications and presentations is an important part of its knowledge transfer activities.